They had returned to the SGC in time to see the President off and get all of the test results from Janet. Not surprisingly, or surprisingly, depending on how you looked at it, the results came back normal. They'd said their goodbyes then headed back to Eleftheria with Mal'tec and Ead'ogar in tow. No sooner did they walk into the Control Room did Sam notice the mood amongst the officers being a bit off. That certainly wasn't surprising. There were things at Eleftheria that were kept very quiet, more quiet than things at the SGC and she was certain everyone knew something was up when she'd hurried off back to Earth. They weren't wrong of course.
"Look Dorothy," Jack smiled. "Oz, as we live and breathe!"
"As often as you refer to my outpost as Oz Colonel, I'm surprised that you didn't suggest it as a possibility when the Jaffa mentioned renaming the planet," Sam smiled as she moved around the Control Room, checking equipment and offering a hello to the officers on duty.
"Teal'c told him he wasn't allowed to make the suggestion Ma'am," Hailey offered with a smile.
"Watch it Lieutenant," Jack barked.
"Hello Hailey," Sam smiled as she came to stand by the junior officer. "What's going on?"
"The computer was acting a little sluggish yesterday," Hailey shrugged. "I went ahead and ran a diagnostic. I'm just checking out the results now."
"Thank you Hailey. When you're done reviewing the results stop by my office won't you?"
"Yes Ma'am."
With a nod Sam turned around, ready to head to the closest ring room to take her up to her office. "Oh Hailey," Sam began as she turned back to the room. "Make sure to thank Teal'c for keeping an eye on the Colonel next time you see him."
"Yes Ma'am," Hailey offered brightly.
"Hey! I'm right here Carter, no need to talk about me like I'm not in the room!"
"Whatever you say Colonel."
"Ma'am?"
Sam looked up from her work to find Hailey standing in her doorway and smiled. "Hailey, come on in. Close the door please." She could see Hailey's face tighten just so, she had never been asked to close the door behind her before. "How was the diagnostic," Sam asked as she held out her hand, indicating Hailey needed to take a seat.
"Everything came back clean Ma'am. I was thinking it might be prudent to keep an eye on things though."
"Certainly," Sam offered as she shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable. "How about the mood?"
"The mood Ma'am?"
"After our conversation about Oz? I was wondering if it had helped lighten the mood. It seems I have to keep quite a bit more information classified from the officer and staff here than General Hammond does from the officers at the SGC. Am I wrong in thinking that's had an effect on the people here?"
Hailey hesitated before she took a breath. "People are … curious. That's all."
Sam smiled at that. That much she knew. "Simply curious or negatively curious?"
"Oh no Ma'am," Hailey offered quickly. "Just curious."
"I understand Hailey," Sam offered gently. "I just wanted to get a feel for the situation before I added to it."
"Ma'am?"
"The reason I asked you to close the door is because I want to share something with you before it becomes public knowledge to the rest of the base." Sam paused as she watched Hailey and noticed the young woman sit a bit straighter. "I'm pregnant," she stated bluntly. For the first time that Sam could ever recall Hailey's jaw practically dropped to the floor. "Colonel O'Neill is the father and we are engaged." This time Hailey actually smiled which, for Hailey, was kind of saying something. "You're the only person on SG-1 that didn't know about this and I thought it would only be right to tell you before everyone else finds out. I owe you that much.
"Once this becomes public knowledge the 'curiosity' is likely going to get worse. But, that isn't all of it."
"Ma'am?"
"Strangely enough there's information about this pregnancy that is classified and under Presidential order I'm not permitted to inform anyone here on base about this information until I have no choice but to do otherwise."
"But SG-1 know," Hailey cautiously asked.
"The guys know," Sam agreed gently. "They only know because they found out at the same time as the President. This information will come out eventually Hailey; it's just a matter of time. When it does I'll tell you everything I can, I honestly don't enjoy keeping you out of the loop when your team knows more about this than you do; but, this is a rather personal matter."
"I understand Ma'am."
Sam watched her quietly, trying to gauge her reaction again and knew that Hailey really did understand. "Good, until then I'm going to have to ask you to take on a few more things around base."
"Ma'am?"
"I'm trying to be proactive here Hailey. I really don't want to fall asleep in meetings because I'm pregnant and haven't delegated properly. Once SG-1 starts going on missions I need you to be selective about what artifacts you keep on base. I'd like you to send what you can to the SGC when it's reasonable to do so. I also want you to play mediator between Colonel's Tutor and O'Neill and the scientists." At Hailey's questioning look Sam smiled gently. "Dr. Grant is excellent at explaining the science to Colonel Tutor in a manner that he can understand it but the other scientists tend to talk over his head. Additionally you know what Colonel O'Neill is like. Sometimes his impatience doesn't translate well for the scientists."
"You want me to keep the peace?"
"Yes. You're time on SG-1 has helped you already Hailey. You are getting better at dealing with the Colonel's moods, which I know is not an easy task, and you are getting better at explaining the science in a way he gets. Think of this assignment as putting your new skills to the test. If you can keep the peace here you can certainly keep the peace anywhere; and in the Air Force that's a talent most scientists don't have. It'll help your career a lot more than I think you realize."
"I realize Ma'am," Hailey smiled. "After all I'm sitting across from the Gate expert who's commanding her own base. I appreciate the opportunity Ma'am."
Sam's smile brightened as she stood from her chair and Hailey mirrored her movements. "I'm sorry we won't be able to spend as much time together as we planned Jennifer. I was looking forward to working with you on the questions you had about my previous work but, we'll get there." Sam moved around the desk and wrapped her arm around Hailey's shoulders before slowly leading her towards the door. "Once I get a handle on this maybe we can get together while we're off duty to discuss things. I know what it's like to not be able to talk science as in depth as you want to for a while. Get's a bit boring."
"Yes Ma'am," Hailey smiled brightly. "It does."
"Good," Sam offered as she released Hailey and opened the door. "Let me know if you need anything and I'll get back to you about off duty hours, alright?"
"Yes Ma'am."